Comments on: Spiritual Resolutions: My Practical Plan

By: haeritz

haeritz — Fri, 20 Feb 2009 08:03:47 +0000

Thanks for your post. I understand your concerns and simultaneously have to say that your post has blessed my life. I have found some inspiration that I feel could help me critically at the moment to overcome some humps in the road. I think perhaps these things should be shared more freely, albeit there is a risk of recognition and seeking open reward from man vs the Giver of all good things, per se. I think there is a solution and have some thoughts, but will share those later. I simply want to thank you at this moment.

By: Be Ye Therefore perfect; What does it really mean? — Mormon Heretic

Be Ye Therefore perfect; What does it really mean? — Mormon Heretic — Sun, 04 Jan 2009 05:31:15 +0000

[...] http://mormonmatters.org/2008/12/31/spiritual-resolutions-my-practical-plan/ [...]

By: GBSmith

GBSmith — Fri, 02 Jan 2009 22:22:27 +0000

Do your alms in secret and you’ll be fine.

By: Rigel Hawthorne

Rigel Hawthorne — Fri, 02 Jan 2009 20:21:56 +0000

I like your lists Ray and its great that your blogging reinforces your commitment to keeping your goals. Many of my goals, in absence of that type of check, end up only as good notions. I gave a talk this year at a combined Priesthood/RS meeting that included some of your ideas and references on being poor in spirit, so maybe others will do the same and fulfill Doug’s wish. With our high council talks, we’ve seemed to get a couple of repeats on family history and indexing this year. I know indexing is great, but hearing about it couple of months in a row as if it was a new concept gets tiring. I also wonder about how interesting a talk on indexing is to investigators and visitors. I would think they would be more inspired with talks on subjects of the beatitudes.

By: Ray

Ray — Fri, 02 Jan 2009 17:32:28 +0000

I think you are correct, GB, that such a pursuit can be misapplied as “works”. However, the Beatitudes do call those who gain these characteristics “blessed” – so it is a fine line. I personally believe the ultimate goal is not to “acquire” but rather to “become” – and if someone “becomes” humble, meek, comforting, merciful, a peacemaker, etc. I think that growth is antithetical to selfishness and working to gain stuff. I think it’s about the specific goals and the type of being into which they mold us.

I also think I am walking a fine line with these characteristics in even posting my resolution publicly. Perception is important to others, so does this post seem arrogant or proud to others? Does it give the appearance similar to doing alms for the glory of men – and, by posting this here, am I limiting my reward to public recognition? How do I share something in which I have come to believe deeply without appearing to be smug or self-righteous or boastful? I wonder about those things, but, in the end, I know I have been blessed (as Jesus promised) in my resolution this year – and I want to share that with others.

Life is interesting, and this has been an interesting year for me – so I decided to share this for what it’s worth to everyone else.

By: GBSmith

GBSmith — Fri, 02 Jan 2009 06:08:34 +0000

I’m not quite sure why your list makes me uneasy. It may be because of the sense that if a person does something good then he’ll/she’ll get something, i.e. perfection/blessings in return. I guess it’s tied to the “there is a law irrevocably decreed…” thing. If a person isn’t careful about just doing or being good for the sake of doing, it can turn into something of a commercial exchange in a spiritual sense. List making and goal setting are good if they help a person with the way they live their life today and not in what they feel they’ll be entitled to tomorrow. My sense from reading your posts over the last months is that this would not be the case for you but but given what the LDS Church teaches about works and blessings, I’m not sure about others.

By: Ray

Ray — Thu, 01 Jan 2009 20:41:00 +0000

Doug, I have been talking about the general topic (acquiring the characteristics of godliness) a lot whenever I speak, and the topics being assigned in our stake are moving toward what you described. It’s neat to see, and I really believe you are correct about the impact it has on the spirit of our meetings.

Happy New Year!

By: Doug G.

Doug G. — Thu, 01 Jan 2009 20:26:03 +0000

Your list is very commendable Ray and all from scriptures out of the New Testament. Perhaps I can even help you with some of those goals by providing you some opportunities to shine! Like during May, August, November, and December in your original plan.

Most of the traits you desire are inclusive in the word charity. I believe the BoM may have even had a bit of inspiration in Moroni chapter 7 and 8 where it talks to the virtues of this principle. Thanks for reminding me of what I’ve always believed true religion is all about no-matter which creed you choose to follow.

Just as a side note and something to stir the juices this new year. During the years I served as a High Councilmen, our list of assigned subjects to speak on each month was a long way from your list. We had things like tithing, repentance, missionary work, temple attendance, keeping the Sabbath, Word of Wisdom, etc. I wonder how much better the church could be at it mission of bringing people to Christ if it focused on your list instead of the standard lists of do and don’ts that appear to support the organization and our uniqueness as Mormons instead of Christ like virtues spoken of in Matthew, 1 Corinthians chapter 13, and Moroni? Just a thought… Happy New Year!

By: Matt W.

Matt W. — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 19:10:40 +0000

And I just want to lose 20 lbs.